Even famous people like to shop at garage sales. On late night TV, a famous TV host once said to an actress that he had seen her at a garage sale in the neighborhood. I made a mental note to myself: next time in vacation in LA check out some garage sales in the ritzy neighborhoods!
My Mother hooked me on garage sales. I saw her using a Coach pocketbook and I did a double take because she was not one to ever buy expensive name brand items. She valued frugality. She told me if you got to the garage sales first thing in the morning in a certain ritzy town there were bargains galore on designer items. She wasn't one to exaggerate, but I had a bit of skepticism until I checked it out for myself.
I am frugal now and try not to shop retail. I find great quality items at garage sales and sometimes they are new with the tags on. Today I hit the jackpot. I arrived at a sale on a very hot day at around 2 pm. I was the only shopper there. They were starting to put stuff out to the curb to be taken for free so I got some cute big baskets for free.
Then I noticed all the shoes and pocketbooks. In certain towns the women update their wardrobes frequently and sell off the slightly used items at garage sales. I was a happy shopper indeed when I noticed the shoes were my size. I didn't even ask the price, I just started grabbing Bandolino and Nine West shoes and a Kenneth Cole bag. I knew since it was the end of the day (most sales end by 2 or 3) the prices would be dirt cheap. Often at the end of the sale they are practically giving everything away for $1 so they don't have to haul it all back inside.
I was charged $10 for an amazing array of quality items.
I got 3 stunning pairs of shoes: One pair of gold slip-on leather Bandolinos, one silk open toe Nine West with beading on the front section, and a pair of Cole Haan casual shoes. Gorgeous shoes! They look brand new.
I got a large black Kenneth Cole drawstring pocketbook and a small black bag covered in black sequins. They are both stunning bags.
I got lots of great books and a journal. One of the books originally cost $25 and is about the Wine Education course that was held at Windows on the World. Another was one of my favorite “beach reading” authors Anita Shreve. I think the most interesting book will prove to be the one about women who are world class achievers. I love getting books cheap. I refuse to buy them in book stores because I find such great deals at garage sales.
I also got 2 change purses: one gold, one silver and each has a big fake jewel on it. Very cute!
Yes, I got this total haul for $10. I can't even feel guilty for shopping at that price.
So check out garage sales. I find the following shopping tips helpful:
Shop early if you want the widest selection of goods. If you love something that is a bit expensive come back later and see if it has been marked down. Try negotiating. Sometimes the homeowner just wants to unload the goods and will accept a lower offer. Go back in the last hour of the sale to find huge bargains…often you'll be told…. “oh just give me $5 or $10 for how ever much stuff you bring up to buy.
If you want to find designer items, shop in the ritzy towns. Just be prepared to see a lot of Republican detritus too. I am a Democrat and upon seeing an Ann Coulter book at a garage sale I held it up and told the owner it should be burned. This was right after Coulter had mocked the “Jersey girls,” the 9/11 widows who fought for the 9/11 Independent Commission Report of the attacks.
Today though I found a John Kerry book so I know I am using the items of a Democrat and that's nice!
